Association of sexual health with socioeconomic status and educational level in young Chileans

This study examines the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and level of education (LoE) and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) indicators among Chilean youth aged 15 to 29, using data from the 10th National Youth Survey. Results indicate that LoE had more consistent associations with SRH indicators than SES. Youth with lower LoE reported challenges such as inconsistent contraceptive use, limited knowledge about HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) transmission, and a higher prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI). SES showed fewer uniform associations across SRH indicators. The findings highlight the limitations of risk-centered discourses in public policies addressing SRH. The study proposes reframing policy formulation to consider the structural contexts that shape SRH outcomes, avoiding stigmatizing narratives toward marginalized groups.